Wellness Gift Guide

2014 has undoubtedly been the year of wellness, when we all stopped for a second, decided that our stress levels were getting a little out of hand and began our journey in the art of becoming an Om Diva. Whether we were meditating before work, booking in for a yoga workshop on the weekend or splurging on that extra midweek bubble bath (now that it’s costing us), it’s safe to say we’re nurturing the zen goddess within.

For the ultimate worrier, Inner Balance by HeartMath is a brilliant app complete with a sensor that you check in with whenever you find the time and learn the art of calming down your heartrate and guiding your mind and body towards its optimum point: perfect harmony. From the folk at HeartMath, “With the Inner Balance app you enter how you are feeling in the moment and then run a session focusing on a positive moment. Research has shown that focusing on positive emotions like appreciation can greatly reduce the effects of stress and deliver you to a more calm peaceful state.” $129 at http://www.heartmathstore.com/category/innerbalance/

Niche Irish beauty brand One Therapy have come across with something very special that combines our passion for skincare with our newfound love of meditation and mindfulness. This is a multi-use moisturiser for face, body and hair. Crafted in small batches, One Therapy combines Frankincense, Ylang Ylang and Sandalwood with a base of Jojoba oil which work to harmonise, heal and hydrate skin and hair.?True to it’s name, this multitasking moisturiser has a multitude of uses. As a balm for sore cracked lips, a nail & cuticle treatment, to fade old stretch marks and prevent new ones, as an aftershave balm, an overnight hair mask and to tame flyways and split ends. Inspired by time honoured ingredients that soothe the soul as well as the skin, The One Therapy ethos isn’t simply about skincare. The ingredients were also chosen for their meditative qualities and are all commonly used in meditation.? Add a few drops to the bath for a relaxing soak or dab on soles of feet, temples, neck, belly and wrists before bed for a restful peaceful sleep.
?48 for 100ml. onetherapyskincare.com

For a wellness treatment that’s so much more than your average massage, a Lomi Lomi treatment at the Dublin holistic centre makes for the perfect, alternative Christmas gift. Encourage your loved one to ease away their stresses and rejuvinate their mind, body and soul with this one of a kind massage. We reviewed this in full a few months back, read how we got on here. We highly recommend it. As for the Dublin Holistic Centre itself, they’ve wellness treatments galore, all of which can be experienced with a gift voucher, should you decide to let them choose what they’d like for themselves.

For the yoga extraordinaire, it no longer suffices to hold the warrior II pose whilst donning an old baggy t-shirt. For something special, Irish brand Grace & Aibell have the loveliest collection of sportswear for yoga, pilates and more. We chart some of our favourite products over yonder. Prices range in and around €60-?70.

This candle from ESPA is so much more than your average lump of wax. It’s a rejuvinative candle and the perfect accompaniment to those warm winter baths. Infuse your home with the comforting, therapeutic aroma of Palmarosa, Sweet Orange and Lavender, as these pure essential oils are released by the warmth of a flickering flame. €28

No wellness warrior’s regimen is complete without some natural goodness from VOYA. Angelicus Serratus is, as per VOYA themselves, a distinctly fragrant super-hydrating body oil with VOYA’s signature notes of citrus and the sea. Blended with fucus serratus to improve suppleness and elasticity whilst purifying and cleansing tired skin. Enhanced with anti-oxident rosehip that slows the signs of ageing, evening primrose which helps cell structure and skin elasticity, vitamin E and high oleic sunflower oil. Enriched with stimulating lime and rejuvenating mandarin to boost skin renewal. €37

The ultimate wellness enthusiast will look after their body on the inside as much as they do on the outside. We’re loving Irish company Koyu Matcha at the moment for their gorgeous organic green teas. We spoke at length about why we’d swap to this from our daily cup of coffee over here. They do lovely gift sets for the Matcha fan which you can find over here.

Alternatively, if you’ve got some cash to splash, there’s no greater wellness gift than the gift of a weekend retreat to recharge the batteries and tend to the soul. Ireland is awas wtih world class spas, the only difficult part will be choosing where to go and when. Here at IMAGE HQ, we’re big fans of Brooklodge in Wicklow, Inchydoney in Cork and Aghadoe in Killarney. Or, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous and fancy whisking your loved one off somewhere a little further afield, the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa in Iceland is our wellness warrior’s destination of choice.

@CarolineForan